Fastening means for doors



July 21, 1931. o. M. OTTE FASTENING MEANS FOR DOORS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1926 INVEN TOR: 05mm 011%, BY

WITNESSES wwf ATTORNEYS.

[7 BY qmM a. ATTORNEYS.

y 1931- o. M.- OTTE 1,815,580

FASTENING MEANS FOR DOORS H I Filed Dec. 9, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Z T J- Fla]. /Z//{ 69 70 "Z W 1 TNESSES ya -w, I

INVENTOR: 05mm 01312,

July 21, 1931. o, OTTE 1,815,580

FASTENING MEANS FOR DOORS Filed Dec. 9, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGA- INVENTOR:

' ATTORNEYS.

' July 21, 1931. o. M. OTTE 1,815,580

2).? r BY 032w m. 015%,

FASTENING MEANS FOR DOORS Filed Dec. 9, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR:

- ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 21, 1931 entree srArrs PATENT OFFICE.

'o'rrio M. orrn, or rAnnNrU PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNQR r WILLIAM. 'r. PIERCE, or

READING, rENNsYLvANIA rAs'rENrNG MEANS FOR noons Application filed. December This invention relates to fastening means for doors and generallyto mechanism operative-to-secure oppositely disposed or parallel 7 doors in the closed position. More particull larly the present improvements are directed to a novel means'for fastening and controlling doors that afford access from adjoining bedrooms to acommon bathroom.

The primary object of the present improvements is to furnish a novel formof mechanismfor the purpose above referred to which simultaneously fastens or unfastens opposed doors and concurrently operates like indicator devices exterior of said doors, so

that guests in adjoining rooms are notified whenan intervening bath-room, for example, is engaged or vacant.

With the stated and other objects in View I i which will be later on readily comprehended,

my invention essentially consists in the novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of partshereinafter fully described, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, and defined as to subject matter 51.; and scope in the subjoinechclaims,

In the drawings:

Fig. I is a sectional'plan view of'a bathroom with adjoining bed-rooms, or other apartments, illustrating the application of my novel combination fastening-indicating means to the doors of said bath-room.

Fig. 'II is a. broken elevation, on a larger scale, of one of the bath-room doors as viewed from the inside of said bath-room.

Fig". III is a perspective view of a latchbar hereinafter fully described.

Fig. IV is a perspective View of the latch bar. with a co-operative securing means pro viding for longitudinal adjustments of said latch-bar to accommodate different widths of door jambs.

Fig. V is a detached perspective View of a key element, shown in assembled position in the preceding illustration. r

Fig. VI is a broken plan section, to a larger scale, illustrative of one end assemblage of my novel door fastening and indicating means, in conjunction with a fragmentary portion of the door and its jamb.

Fig. VII is a similar view to the precede, 192s. Serial, Nb. 153,511.

ing illustration, with the door removed to better disclose the action of means effective to prevent turning of the latch-barwhen either of the opposed bath-room doors is in the open position.

Fig. VIII is a view taken on-theplane incheated by the arrowed lines VI'II VI II in- Fig. VI, with the latch-bar in unlatched location. A

Fig. IX is a similar view but showing the latch-bar in latched position incident to a partial turn.

F X is a sectional View taken on the plane indicated by the arrowed lines X-X in Fig. VI.

Fig. XI is a similar view taken as indicated by the lines XI-XI in Fig. VII; and,

Fig. XII: is an elevational View of the indicator device hereinafter described.

Like indicating characters designate the same or corresponding parts in all the views. I

In the typical embodiment of my inven tion=illustrated in the drawings and primarily referring to Fig. I, more particularly, 13, 13 are adjacent bed-rooms having entrant doors 14: 14which are each equipped with the usual washstand 15 and clothes closet 16. In-

termediate the bedrooms 13, is a common compartment-or wash room-l7 enclosing a conventional shower stall 18 and toilet 19; access to the compartment or wash room 17 being had by way of outwardly swinging doors 20, 20, each of which is provided exteriorlyrelative to said roomwith a dead latch or bolt, not shown. All of the foregoing parts are referred'to solely as necessary preface, before describing the application of my present improvement to the opposed wash room doors 20, 20, whereby the occupant of either room 13, 13 may know when said wash room 17 is engaged or vacant; or, when using the wash room, may lock both doors 20, 20 and thereby prevent embarrassing intrusion by another person from either of the rooms 13, 13. y j My novel mechanism is comprehensively designated by the numeral 21 in Fig. I', and, in view of the fact that the several elements or parts thereof at each end of the common operating shaft or lock-bar 22are complemental (or right-and-left counterparts) the following description is mainly limited to an explanation of the mechanism associated with one of the doors 20, only, in order to avoid unnecessary repetitive description.

Referring now, generally, to all the views and more specifically to Figs. VI, VII, X and XI, it will be observed that the operating shaft 22 ispreferably-tubular and of a length somewhat shorter than the distance intermediate the closed doors 20. This operating shaft 22 is journaledat each of its ends-in a bracket 23, conveniently secured to the door jamb 24 and lintel 25 by screws 26-for example. Each bracket 23 is formed with an embossment 27 affording journal bearing for the shaft end with interposition of suitable packing such as felt 28, as well as with spaced members 29 between which pivoted a forked lever or yoke dog 30 under the influence of a recoil spring 31. One end of the spring 31 engages in an aperture 32 of the forked lever 80, while the other end 33 abuts the bracket wall in an obvious manner-to normally hold the aforesaid fork lever in the position best shown by Fig. VII.

Longitudinal displacement of the operating shaft- 22, relative to the bracket 23, is prevented by means of a stop collar ?4 having a concentric recess 85 adapted to accommodate suitable packing-such as a felt washer 36intermediate said collar and the bracket 23. Incidentally, the packings 28, 36 serve as lubricant retainers or absorbers, in addition to preventing metallic contact between the relatively movable parts: or, said packings may be omitted when the parts made of antifrictional material and accurately adjusted so as to avoid any possibility of binding. Screw studs 37 securely attach the stop collar 34 to the operating sl 22.

Snugly fitting each end of the operating shaft 22 is an internally screw-threaded tube or sleeve 38, w iich is longitudinally split at 39Fig. IVfor reception of a key 40, for a purpose later on explained. This sleeve 38 is also provided at diametrically opposed points with screw threaded holes 41, into which the inner ends of the studs 3'? engage; whereby the parts 34, 22 and 38 are rendered relatively immovable, except as hereinafter explained. Threadedly engaging the sleeve 38 is the shank 42 of the latch-device 43 which is fashioned with a head piece 44, preferably disposed at right angles thereto; or, in other words, the latch-device 43 is of T-formation, with the head piece 44 conveniently although not e sentiallypolvgonal in cross section, as best illustrated in Figs. III and IV. The shank 42 of the latch-device 43 is provided with longitudinal grooves 45,-that are diametrically opposed, into either of which the key --hereinbefore referred to-is adapted to co-operatively seat in locking the 1,s15,5eo

sleeve 38 to said shank at the requisite adjustment. Attention is directed to the provi sion of the key 40 with a relatively angled toe or pin 46, at one end, for insertion in a hole 47 at the outer end of each longitudinal groove whereby said key is effectively held against longitudinal displacement when the associated parts are assembled and adjusted.

Referring again to the forked lever or yoke dog 30, it is to be noted that the heel portion 48 thereof projects laterally through an opening 49, in the bracket 23, into the path of a segmental enlargement 50 of the associated stop collar 34; and that the bracket 23 is formed with an offset 51 in the path of movement of said enlargement, as best disclosed in Figs. X and XI. Furthermore, it will be observed that the stop collar 34 is radially notched at 52 for semi-reception of the heel portion 48, of the forked lever 30, when the associated door 20 is in the open position; whereas the forked end of said lever receives one limb or portion of the latch-device head 44, as clearly illustrated in Figs. XI and VII, respectively. Thus it will be readily understood that when the door 20 is in the open position, the operating shaft 22, stop collar 34 and latch-device 43, are all simultaneously and automatically fastened to the bracket 23 against any illicit or rotative movement under recoil action of the spring 31. This feature I deem of importance, as it not only prevents the mechanism from being accidentally or maliciously put out of commission, but it also serves as an effective safeguard against the wash-room 17 being closed to either of the rooms 13 unless said wash-room is occupied or in use.

In combination with the mechanism above described I employ a cupped keeper for attachment to the door 20, as by screws 54, said keeper having a lateral openinp 55 for free entry and withdrawal of the latch-device head 44 in securing and releasing the door 20, as hereinafter explained. Incidentally, as will be best understood from Fig. VI, the latch-device head 44 is beveled along its longitudinal angular edges to facilitate turn ing in the cupped portion 56 of the keeper 53.

Associated with the keeper 53 and actuable by the latch head 44 is an indicater device comprehensively designated by the numeral F7. This indicator device 5? comprises a tabular actuator 58 having a discous portion or flange 59 appropriately marked with the legens Open anc Shut d ig. XII; said legends being moved into registry with a sight aperture 60 in the indicator closure casing 61, that is provided (for example) with apertured lugs 62, whereby it is attached to the door 20, as by screws-mot shown. Journal bearing, in the door 20, is afforded the tubular actuator 58 by means of a sleeve 63, secured therein through the medium of an obviously, theacltnator. 5.811s made. an. easy work-v mg; it n the bearing sleeve 65, and it, is;

provided: at its en remote. from. the fl nge. .9

with opposedzcut-outs 65., into which. the.l-aftch.- device head; 4. enters when the, door 20 is closed; as clearly sh0w11in.Eigs, VI:, VIII a d Proper. centering, ot'the casing 61: rel

t v to. theclisccus portion, or flange 59: islensuited. through the med n n o a corax al; tit- 66 in. the. former. entering a'conr spondingly d mensioned hole in the latter, as clearl shown. 111 Fig. V1}.

Means suchv as. a, double-armed rocker 68;

Figs. I 11 and: V1, is securely clamped, on the, operating shaft 22: and fitted-with dropchai-ns.

. willzbeapparenaas Wheneveran occupant of either offth-e bed-rooms 1:3, 18 who enters the wash-room. 1.7,. should desire to secure the doors20', 20 against opening, it is only necessany. to. seethat both of: said doors are shut and then. to pull down. upon the chain 69, marked. Lock. By drawingupon thechain 69 markeds Lock, the operating shaft 22 is given a. partial (quarter). turn, to the right which moves the latchsdevice. headv 44 from theposition shownfinFig. Y'I'II, to that illus trated by Fig. IX. Concurrently-with. the operation ust describedthe associatedindica tor disc'59 will be correspondingly turned and the legend Shut of the devices 57 in both rooms 13 simultaneously swung intoregistry with the-sight apertures 60 whereby the occu ant rothers'in either of said rooms is noti ed that the wash-room 17 is engaged. Attention is particularly directed to the fact that closure of the doors 20, releases the forked levers 30 from the position shown in Fig. VII to that of F ig: VI, and thereby permits turning of the operating shaft 22 which is otherwise secured at all times against such movement by the forked levers 30, as hereinbefore set forth. Pull upon the chain 69 marked Open obviously effects a reversal of the operative cycle just described, whereupon both doors 20 are released for normal opening and closure.

From the foregoing it will be self-evident that my novel fastening mechanism fully justifies all the objects and advantages set forth in the opening statement of invention;

and, while I have disclosed one practical embodiment thereof, it is equally apparent the same is susceptible of diverse changes without departing from the spirit and scope of said invention. Accordingly, the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly lie l- Iiastening mechanism, for a se ies. o l$SOC121iZGCl doors comprising a commonrotary V actuator with. headed termini. a apted; to do:

operate witlikeepers on the respective. doors.

andsimultaneously secure 21111 of; said doors. 1n closed: pos t-ion, and; means. coecting W 'll:

said termini to prevent movement of the act:

uator should any or all ofthe doors beopen.

2. Eastening mechanism for. oppcseddoor i' comprising a common.semi-rotatable actuator with IT-headed: terminal devices; adapted to engage. cuppedskeepers on. and securely fasten both. doors. simultaneously, and means. co.-a ctive with. the. 'iF-heads and. actuator to prevent movement of the latter shouldeither orboth of the doors beopen.

3. Fastening. mechanism. for opposed: doors. comprisin a. common actuator with T -headed terminal devices adapted. to. engage.v cupped. keepers on and securely fasten. both. doonsi-sis multaneously, said. terminal. devices being. longitudinally adjustable relative.totheiactua ator to accommodatedoor jambs of different widths, and, mean s a rr-esting movement ofithe.

actuator shouldeither. on both ofthedoors be. open.

4 Fastening mechanism forparallel: doors movable in reverse directions comprising. a-

common actuatorhaving.'F-headed .t-e1'i11inal.

devices adapted to engage cupped-keeperson and simultaneously secure both doors when.

closed, and means jointly co-operative with. the terminal devices and actuatorto prevent movement of: the latter-should either-onboth of saiddoors be-open.

5. Fastening mechanism for-paralleladoors movable in reverse directions. com-prising a common actuator having T-headed 'ter-minal devices-adaptedto engagecupped-keepers on:

and simultaneously secure bot-hdoorsw'hen closed, said- ClBVlCGS being independently adj ustable in theactuatorandrestrainedagainst relative rotativemovement, forked :levers nor mally: engagin the terminal devices and notched collars on the actuatortot prevent turning thereof should either or both ofsaid doors be open.

6'. Fastening mechanism for parallel'door-s-- movable in reverse directionscomprising-a common actuator having terminal T headed bolts adapted to engage cupped-keepers on and simultaneously secure said doors only'. when both are closed, radially notched stop collars on the actuator. and coactive"forkleversengaging the T-headedbolts and stop collars to prevent rotative movement of-theactuator shouldeither or-both of said doors be; open.

7 Eastening mechanism for parallel doors:

swingable in reverse directions comprising:- a common tubular shaft ournaled' IILClGPGIId ently of the doors, terminal T-headed bolts having screw shanks taking into correspondingly threaded sleeves, said sleeves being removably engaged in the open ends of the tubular shaft with capacity for individual adjustment, cu pped-keepers on the doors, and latching members co-acting with the bolt heads and associated stop collars on the tubular shaft to permit movement of the latfor only during the door securing and releasing operations.

8. Fastening mechanism for parallel doors movable in reverse directions comprising a common tubular shaft journalled independently of the doors, terminal bolts having T- heads and screw shanks threadedly engaging split sleeves litted into the shaft ends, keys splining the bolts and sleeves against movement relative to the tubular shaft after longitudinal adjustment, cupped-keepers on the doors, and spring influenced latching members co-aeting with the F-heads and stop collars on the tubular shaft to permit movement of the latter only during the door securing and releasing operations and only when both doors are closed.

9. Fastening mechanism for parallel doors movable in reverse directions comprising a common tubular actuator shaft journaled independently of the doors, terminal T-headed bolts having screw shanks taking into split sleeves fitting the shaft ends, keys splining the bolts and sleeves against rotative and relative movement when longitudinally adjusted, cupped-keepers on the doors, and spring influenced fork levers jointly engaging the T-headed bolts and slotted stop collars on the actuator shaft to prevent movement of the latter should either or both of the doors be open.

10. Fastening mechanism for parallel doors movable in reverse directions comprising a common actuator shaft journaled in bearings on the opposed door frames, T- headed bolts having screw shanks taking into split sleeves fitting the shaft ends, keys splining the bolts and sleeves against rotative and relative movement after individual adjustment, cupped-keepers on the doors, stop collars with segmental enlargements on the actuator shaft, and spring influenced fork levers pivotally carried by the shaft bearings and normally engaging the bolt heads and stop collars to prevent turning of the actuator shaft should either or both of the doors be open.

l1. Fastening mechanism for parallel doors movable in reverse directions comprising a common actuator shaft journaled in bearings on the opposed door frames, T- headed bolts having screw shanks taking into split sleeves fitting the shaft ends, keys splining the bolts and sleeves against rotative and relative movement after individual adjustment, cupped-keepers on the doors, stop collars on the actuator shaft each having a segmental enlargement and adjoining notch, and spring influenced fork levers normally engaging the bolt heads and collar notches to prevent rotation of the actuator shaft should either or both of the doors be open.

12. Fastening mechanism for parallel doors movable in reverse directions comprising a common actuator shaft journaled in bearings on the opposed door frames, T-. headed bolts having screw shanks taking into split sleeves fitting the shaft ends, keys splining the bolts and sleeves against rotative and relative movement after individual adjustment, cupped-keepers on the doors, stop collars on the actuator shaft each having a segmental enlargement and adjoining notch, spring influenced fork levers normally engaging the bolt heads with their heel portions in the collar notches abutting one end of the segmental enlargement to prevent rotation of the actuator shaft should either or both of the doors be open, and an offset on each bearing aforesaid for engagement by the other end of the segmental enlargement to limit rotation of the actuator shaft.

13. In combination with parallel doors swingable in reverse directions, fastening mechanism comprising brackets fitting the intersection of the door lintels and jambs, a common actuator shaft with stop collars journaled between said brackets, said shaft having adjustable T-headed terminal ends, a keeper on each door, spring influenced fork levers normally engaging the bolt heads and brackets to prevent rotation of the actuator shaft, and rocker means whereby the fastening mechanism may be actuated only when both doors aforesaid are closed.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,this 4th day of December, 1926.

OTHO M. OTTE. 

